China will advance new urbanization and coordinated regional development in 2025, according to a government work report delivered by Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday.
Delivering the report at the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Li said China expects to further improve the spatial layout of its development through measures in multiple areas.
"We will thoroughly implement strategic initiatives for new urbanization. Well-conceived and systematic measures will be taken to grant permanent urban residency to people moving to cities from rural areas. Moreover, we will ensure that they have full access to basic public services in their place of permanent residence; and we will intensify support to see that children living with them receive compulsory education in cities. We will also enable those eligible to join the housing support system and see that they have smooth access to social security programs," said the premier.
"Sustained efforts will be made for urban renewal schemes and the renovation of old urban residential compounds to build livable, resilient, and smart cities," he added. "We will redouble efforts to implement regional strategies. We will create greater synergy between the coordinated regional development strategy, major regional strategies, and the functional zoning strategy, so as to foster new growth poles," said Li.
"We will support major provincial economies in assuming greater responsibility, and encourage other regions to fully tap into their local conditions and distinctive strengths in pursuing development. Efforts will be made to promote deeper industrial collaboration between eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions," said Li.
The third session of the 14th NPC is scheduled for March 5 to 11.
China to advance new urbanization, coordinated regional development in 2025: report
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that the red line on protecting civilians in conflicts must not be crossed.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Abdullah briefed Wang on the regional situation and the UAE's position, saying the country is not a party to the war, has not participated in the current conflict, and should not be subjected to illegal attacks.
He expressed appreciation for China's consistent objective and impartial stance, adding that the UAE expects China to continue to play an active and important role in the current grave circumstances to prevent further escalation of regional tensions.
The UAE will continue to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in the country, Abdullah said.
For his part, Wang reiterated China's principled position on the current situation in Iran, noting that the spillover of war serves no one's interests and that the people of the region would be the ones to suffer.
He stressed that non-military targets related to energy, economy and people's livelihoods should not be attacked, and that the security of shipping routes must be safeguarded.
Wang noted that the UAE had worked for peace even before the conflict broke out, and that a recent foreign ministers' meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to overcome the current crisis and safeguard regional security, which China appreciates.
China backs the UAE's legitimate demands to safeguard its national security and supports countries in the region in their continued efforts to resolve disputes through diplomatic means, Wang said.
China will not give up hope for peace and will continue to play a constructive role, Wang said, adding that China will send its special envoy on the Middle East issue to the region to conduct mediation efforts to help bring the region back to peace and stability.
Wang also expressed hope that the UAE will continue to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country.
Chinese FM says red line on protecting civilians in conflict must not be crossed
